Closing arguments begin in pastor's trial

UPDATED 10:02 AM CDT Aug 23, 2012

ADEL, Iowa -

Closing arguments are being presented Thursday morning in the sexual abuse trial of Patrick Edouard.

Edouard is charged with three counts of third-degree sexual abuse, and four counts of sexual exploitation by a counselor, therapist, school employee or clergy. Four women in his former congregation at Covenant Reform Church in Pella said he coerced them into having sexual relations.

The jury is expected to get the case soon. Look for updates on their progress here on KCCI.com and on KCCI-TV.

Testimony wrapped up Tuesday in the trial of a former Pella church pastor accused of sexual abuse and exploitation.

Edouard talked in detail about his relationships with the women -- how they started and what happened. He said each woman was upset when the relationship ended.

Edouard said he loved one of the women.

He also talked about almost being caught by one of the women's husbands.

Edouard said he was not counseling the women during the affairs and never forced them to do anything against their will.

Edouard said he was in a meeting with church elders when he learned the women were accusing him of rape.

"I was stunned, I was shocked. I said, 'Absolutely not that never happened,'" said Edouard.

He said he never took advantage of the women.

Edouard was followed on the witness stand by a forensic psychiatrist who talked about the reasons behind false rape allegations.

Monday, in a matter of fact tone, Edouard told jurors that each of the four affairs he had was consensual.

Edouard's wife Grace also took the stand as a witness for the defense. She testified that she had no idea her husband was having sexual relations with other women until he told her in December of 2010.

The two are still married and currently living in Michigan. Both Grace and Patrick Edouard said they spent time with each of the accusers and their husbands socially, and even became close friends with some of them.

Grace Edouard testified that she always warned her husband about one of the women -- saying she was too flirtatious.

"I warned my husband telling him several times, 'Watch out for that woman, she almost has the word available written on her forehead. I don't like it,'" said Grace Edouard.

Edouard said he and that woman became secret lovers, and that her claim that he raped her is not true.

"We liked each other and we were lovers," said Patrick Edouard.

Monday morning, the state called an elder of the church to the stand.

Clarence Hettinga got emotional, even wiping away tears as he talked about finding out about Edouard's alleged sexual contact with members of the church.

Hettinga said that one of the women's husband approached him about it. Hettinga then set up a meeting with the other elders to ask Edouard questions.

Prosecutor Laura Roan asked Hettinga how Edouard responded when asked if he had had inappropriate conduct with anyone in the congregation.

"His answer was 'Yes,' one person, and that she kissed me in the study," said Hettinga.

Look for more trial updates here on KCCI.com, on KCCI-TV and on our mobile apps and Facebook page.

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